Epilogue

Flynn

One year later

The Blackhawks are playing tonight, and my man is on fire. Sitting up front, right behind the Plexiglas, has my nerves on edge. The Blackhawks took the cup last year, and pressure is on for another good season. Myles gets hold of the puck and stickhandles his way across the ice. Internally, I’m both giddy and giggling; stickhandling has become a kinky inside joke between us. He likes to say that I stickhandled my way back into his life, both figuratively and literally.

A player shoves Myles into the Plexiglas in front of me. Once I know he’s okay from the hit, I get totally turned on. It may be odd but growing up around hockey will do that to you. Myles shoves the guy back. Before he skates away, he turns back to wink at me. Yup, he’s definitely getting laid later on.

“Excuse me. Sorry, excuse me,” Sloane excuses herself past some people so she can make it to the empty seat beside me. “Sorry, I’m late. What did I miss?” she asks, getting comfortable in her seat.

“Not much. Oli scored a goal. Some idiot just shoved Myles into the glass. He got him back. Usual stuff.” I shrug.

“Cool.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a hot dog.

I give her a sidelong glance. “Really?”

“Yeah, I’m starved. I got off work and came straight here,” she says, as if there’s nothing wrong with pulling a hot dog out of your purse. I don’t pursue the conversation because it’s Sloane, and telling her it’s weird won’t make a difference.

“I’m starved, too. Didn’t have a chance to eat. I had a meeting with Tara before I got here. I’m getting my own office. She’s been very pleased with my work, and she told me if I keep up with the cases the way I have been, I’ll be on the fast track to becoming junior partner.” I let out a loud squeal. “I haven’t told Myles or Oli, so keep things quiet.”

She takes a large bite of the hot dog. It’s oozing ketchup, mustard, and relish. Gross. “I’ll keep your secret,” she says through the bite in her mouth.

Jamie scores a goal for the Blackhawks just before the buzzer goes, and they win the game. Everybody is cheering like crazy. I just stare at Myles, a little starry eyed.

It takes a while to shuffle out of the arena after the game. Both Sloane and I head to the locker rooms.

“I wish I could be one of them.” She sighs, looking at a reporter interviewing a guy from the team. As if KPLG news anchor isn’t a good job.

“Um, you’re an anchor. That’s better.” My brows dip together.

“Yeah, but she gets to see half-naked hockey players.” Sloane pouts.

My lips twist. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” she agrees. “Besides, KPLG isn’t a really big station. It’s local. Tonight, the station made me wear a witch’s hat, since Halloween is next week.”

“What’s wrong with that?” I ask, a little confused.

“I’m freaking scared of witches, Flynn. Have you seen the Wizard of Oz? With my dark hair, I probably looked like that wicked witch that melted. Now when people see the broadcast, they’ll remember me as the witch,” she says, pouting her lips.

“Last week it was a moose. I don’t think it makes a difference,” I reply.

“You’re right. I’m not sure a moose is a friendly animal.” She quirks her lips to the side.

“Okay, then.” I’m lost in this conversation.

The guys finally come out of the changing room. A reporter stops Myles to ask him questions about the game tonight. She’s a pretty female. He answers her questions in a professional and friendly manner. He really is good in front of the camera. Probably why Blackhawk fans adore him. Once the camera cuts out, the woman places her palm on his shoulder and leans in to whisper in his ear, and I’ll be damned—I think she has just propositioned him. It’s nothing new. He gets propositioned all the time. Though this was in front of me, so it feels different. I’m jealous and pissed off. In my mind, I envision sucker punching the bitch.

I turn to Sloane. She’s laughing so hard she’s holding her stomach. “OMG, Flynn, you have to see your face right now. Too bad I didn’t get a pic.”

I notice Myles letting the woman down, and his glare turns on me. Maybe he wants to make sure I’ll behave. He doesn’t need to worry. I’ve matured. I roll my eyes at Sloane. I’m not going to make a scene and do something that would embarrass Myles. The reporter is still talking to him. I think I hear her tell him that if things don’t work out to give her a call. I’m seeing red at this point, and yes, I still want to sucker punch her. She’d never expect it, and Oli would be so proud.

I begin to walk toward Myles. Sloane’s hand on my shoulder stops me. “Don’t do it, Flynn.”

I shake off Sloanes comment and continue to walk over to Myles and the reporter’s hand slips off his shoulder. When I reach him, I lean in and plant a kiss on his lips. I linger for a moment and deepen the kiss. He groans into my mouth, and I pull away. Mission accomplished. “Hey, babe,” I say with a satisfied grin.

The woman clears her throat and says something to the cameraman. Myles snakes an arm around my waist.

“Great game.” I smile.

“Thanks.” We both walk over to Sloane, and Myles tells us, “Oli should be out in a minute. He’s making himself pretty.”

My brother comes sauntering out of the locker room in a suit. “Sorry. Too many reporters in there tonight.” He winks at Sloane. “Hey, Shorty.”

Myles takes me by the hand. “Come,” he says. I notice him glance back at Oli as he guides us toward the arena.

I look the opposite way, toward the exit. “Aren’t we going the wrong way?” I ask, confused.

Sloane giggles, and Oli hushes her.

We enter the arena. It’s empty. The Zamboni is just finishing cleaning the ice. Myles opens the door to the rink. Good thing I’m wearing a warm sweater under my Blackhawks top. I follow him because he clearly has something up his sleeve tonight. We’ve been living together for almost a year now.

A red carpet is laid out on the ice. That’s strange. Myles walks me out to center ice on the carpet. Oli and Sloane stay behind.

“Tink?” He smiles then runs his fingers through his hair. He’s nervous. Myles is nervous. It doesn’t happen often.

“Yes,” I reply in a level voice because I’m still not sure what’s happening, and I’m a lawyer. I stay cool, calm, and collected under almost any circumstances. It’s a response I’ve worked hard to achieve.

“Tink,” he repeats. I remain quiet, albeit still confused. I look over to my brother and Sloane. They’re watching us expectantly. Myles’s voice pulls my attention back to him. “We met when we were six. Every good memory I have of my childhood is linked to you. Every horny memory of my adolescence is linked to you.” He snickers, and I let out a hearty laugh. “In all seriousness, though…” His features straighten, out and I see the emotion in his gaze. “I’ve loved you ever since I can remember. You’ve always been mine, but you know me… I’m a sentimental old fool, and I need this to be official because you believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I didn’t think I’d be able to sustain a relationship, but honestly, this past year has shown me there’s no work involved, because I love you. It’s just so damn easy, and we’re so good together. Life just makes sense, ya know?” He pauses to smile and see if I’m on board.

A lone tear streaks down my cheeks because in the last year I’ve become a sentimental old fool myself. For the first time in my life I wear my emotions on my sleeve, and damn, it feels good. “I know,” I respond, because I love him, and I know he needs to make sure I’m on board with him for what’s to come. I give him an assured nod.

He drops down on one knee and pulls a robin’s egg blue box out of the front pocket of his suit pants. He opens it up to reveal a glistening diamond ring. I gasp loudly, not because I wasn’t expecting it, but because he stole my breath away.

“Flynn,” he says, and I love that he’s switched from Tink to Flynn now. “Will you marry me?”

My hands come up to my mouth, and the sobbing begins as I nod my head frantically. I’m still too emotional, so the word hasn’t come yet. He stands up to place the ring on my finger, and then he kisses me. I finally come up for air and scream, “Yes, yes. Myles, I would love to marry you.”

My brother and Sloane run toward us on the red carpet.

Sloane is squealing as she wraps me in a hug.

Oli shakes Myles’s hand and pulls him in for a guy hug.

Then Oli turns to me. “I’m so happy for you, Flynny.” He gives me his infamous bear hug.

Myles gives Sloane a hug.

Myles walks back to me and drapes an arm over my shoulder. “Come on, we have a wedding to plan.”

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